Automated client/server development tool using drag-and-drop metaphor

• US 5,802,514 A
• Filed: 04/09/1996
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vision Software Tools Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Vision Software Tools Incorporated
• Inventors: Huber, Val J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Corrielus, Jean M.
• Application Number:
  US08/630,020
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 395/619, 395/612, 395/701, 707/203, 707/101, 707/10, 707/1, 707/100, 707/4, 707/2, 707/102, 707/508, 707/507, 707/506, 707/505, 345/348
• US Class Current: 715/769
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

A tool for the development of multiple-table database applications for client/server environments automates both capture of system requirements and code production. A client portion of a multiple-table, client/server database application for processing requests against a server database, is developed by first storing in a repository a description of the server database describing database entities within the server database and relationships between those database entities. Representations of the database entities are displayed, and an application drawing window is provided. The user drags and drops within the application drawing window one of said representations that represents a particular database entity. The tool then creates within the repository an entry for the particular database entity, and draws within the drawing window a representation of the particular database entity. For each database entity for which an entry within the repository has been created, the tool checks the description of the server database stored in the repository to determine whether a relationship exists between the particular database entity and the database entity being checked. If a relationship does exist between the particular database entity and the database entity being checked, the tool then creates within the repository an entry for that relationship, and draws within the drawing window a connector representing that relationship. The foregoing drag-and-drop sequence is repeated multiple times. When the design is complete, the tool, using information stored in the repository, automatically generates the client portion of the multiple-table, client/server database application.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of developing a client portion of a multiple-form, client/server database application for processing requests against a server database, the method comprising the steps of:

a) storing in a repository a description of the server database describing database entities within the server database and relationships between those database entities;

b) displaying representations of the database entities;

c) providing an application drawing window for GUI-based creation of a multiple-form client/server database application providing for form transitions between different ones of the multiple forms;

d) a user dragging and dropping within the application drawing window one of said representations that represents a particular database entity;

e) creating within the repository a form entry for the particular database entity, and drawing within the drawing window a representation of the particular database entity;

f) for each database entity for which a form entry within the repository has been created, checking the description of the server database stored in the repository to determine whether a relationship exists between the particular database entity dropped and the database entity being checked;

g) if a relationship does exist between the particular database entity and the database entity being checked, then creating within the repository a form transition entry for that relationship, and drawing within the drawing window a connector representing the form transition; and

h) repeating step d) through step g) multiple times.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the entry for a relationship provides for automatic Master/Detail creation and Form Transition generation.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein database entities are represented within the application drawing window as nodes having associated icons, and relationships are represented within the drawing window as lines joining various ones of the nodes.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising the further steps of:

i) using information stored in the repository, automatically generating the client portion of the multiple-table, client/server database application;

wherein, within the client portion of the multiple-table, client/server database application, when data from said particular database entity is displayed, if a user inputs a specified command, data from a related database entity is displayed.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said particular database entity is a database table, and said entry within the repository for the particular database entity represents a form to be populated with data from the database table.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein data from the database table is used to populate multiple forms.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the entry within the repository for said relationship represents a Form Transition programming construct.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said form is referenced by multiple Form Transitions.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular database entity is a query definition based on a non-empty set of database tables and specifying a non-empty set of fields selected from the non-empty set of database tables.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein step f) comprises, for each database table within the non-empty set of database tables, checking whether a relationship exists between the database entity being checked and the database table and, if a relationship does exist, determining one or more key fields within the database table required to support the relationship and further checking whether said one or more key fields are within said non-empty set of fields.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising the further step of, if said one or more key fields are within said non-empty set of fields, determining that a same type of relationship as was determined to exist between the database table and the database entity being checked exists between the query definition and the database entity being checked.